PM's UK trip a downer
Re: "PM shores up trade prospects on UK trip", (BP, May 24).
I was pleased to hear the prime minister visited the UK last week on a trip to strengthen soft power through cuisine.
However, she did not find time to meet any UK government ministers or officials during her visit. A visiting PM from a friendly country would always be granted such a meeting especially as the UK and Thailand are keen to negotiate a free trade deal.
I am all in favour of Thailand using her soft power for the good of Thais but the lack of any meetings of substance indicates this was really a private visit paid for by the Thai taxpayer. Ironically, many UK expats are taxpayers in Thailand, thanks to the policies of her government.
Simon Turner
Bad ideas for tourists
Re: "Backing sought for water-based initiatives", (BP, May 13).
While plans to support and "elevate the Fire Boat Festival in Nakhon Phanom to a global event" seem well intentioned although a bit grandiose, other ideas put forth in the article are rather objectionable.
Regional tourism poohbah Chanyut U-papong said that in October, Nakhon Phanom plans to introduce "a 54-metre ferris wheel along the Mekong River".
Just because London's River Thames has been a sewer surrounded by man-made blight since the 18th century does not mean copying the idea is appropriate for the Mekong in the 21st.
Why do these short-sighted political types get to do such things? They seem hell bent upon destroying the very natural resources they should be protecting at all costs. As a top priority, the government must establish better guidelines and enforce them without compromise to protect Thailand's natural treasures.
Baan Bandit
New way to tackle drugs
Re: "Suspected trafficker arrested with nearly 200,000 speed pills", (BP, May 19).
Supply is driven by demand, and this item along with other news reports suggest that demand for speed pills among Thais is only going up.
Thai authorities should try to educate kids about drugs. By focusing on busting dealers, Thailand is hammering a nail with a sledgehammer. Kids will be influenced more by an ex-drug user saying why they should give up the habit.
Kids have indeed been taught taking drugs is bad. Yet the law legalises alcohol consumption despite the fact it is another form of addiction. Indeed, beer and booze are great for celebrations and seductions, and if someone becomes an alcoholic, they will be sent to rehab. Businesses that sell alcohol are often rich and treated as respectable members of society.
Speed dealers don't drive expensive cars and have no influence with politicians and judges, so they're the worst scum on the planet. Beer and booze dealers don't want competition from other recreational drugs.
Ken Albertsen
Go after the big guys
Re: "ACT calls for expanded SAO probe", (BP, May 22).
I fully support the Anti-Corruption Organisation of Thailand in calling for masterminds behind the graft leading to the collapse of the State Audit Office building being charged.
Go for changes that will make a big difference in fighting the slimy graft that covers Thai society from head to toe: hold the budget approvers, project inspectors and others who benefited from actions leading to this collapse to account, not just contractors or ground staff.
Follow the money trail and plea bargain to get the whales and sharks, not just minnows. PM Paetongtarn Shinawatra should report to parliament every 30 days in progress made and plans for the coming month.
Burin Kantabutra
Sex worker puzzle
Re: "Prostitution puzzle", (PostBag, May 20) and "Russian sex worker suspect arrested on Koh Phangan", (BP, May 9).
In some countries, sex workers are a legal profession; for others they are involved in an illegal flesh trade.
It is hard question to solve. Countries need to improve laws to protect the rights and safety of sex workers who are vulnerable to exploitation and trafficking. They should offer legal services or shelters to provide help without there being fear of prosecution and harassment.
It must be said time and again that many countries in the world decriminalise prostitution because it was a prime cause of police corruption. Additionally, in these countries, advocacy group work with law enforcement to convince sex workers to report crimes without fear of repercussions.
Regmi Suman
Students can try Oz
Re: "Top uni blocked from enrolling foreigners", (World, May 24).
The welcome at Ellis Island, New York, has for over 100 years stated, "Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free", but now someone has used a black Sharpie marker to add "unless they want to go to Harvard".
Doesn't the US constitution have a first amendment that safeguards freedom of speech even if Harvard was speaking inappropriately, which they aren't; or has it been crossed out with that big black Sharpie marker?
Come to Australia, we have a number of great universities and you will be welcomed.
Dennis Fitzgerald
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